Jamie Burns

Student Ref: 552321

Worksheet 1
Unit 158. Chassis systems.

ABS and EBD Systems.

Read the paragraph on page 35 regarding ABS and answer the following questions.

1.What three components are needed to convert a normal braking system into an ABS system.
Wheel speed sensor, an ECU, and also an ABS modulator valve block.

2. What is Cadence braking.

Cadence braking is a form of braking in which the pedal is rapidly pressed and released by the driver.

3.Explain the term Slip Tolerance

Slip Tolerance is a measurement of the tyre traction and grip during braking where 0 per cent means that the
tyre is rolling and 100 per cent means that the wheel has fully locked up. On an ABS system maximum brake
force is applied between 10 and 30 per cent slip tolerance which is the region where the most efficient braking
occurs.

4. There are two types of wheel speed sensor, what are they called
Inductive magnetic sensors, and Hall effect wheel speed sensors.

5. What wave form is produced by an Inductive sensor and how is this waveform created.
Jamie Burns
Student Ref: 552321

Using an oscilloscope and the wheel is rotated an AC wave form (sine wave) will be seen on the screen. When
the wheel speed increases, the amplitude (voltage) or the height of the sine wave will increase and the
frequency (time signal) will also increase, making the waves appear closer together.

6. What do the terms Amplitude and Frequency mean

Frequency – How often something happens; the distance/time between the peaks of a waveform.

Amplitude – the height of a wave form, measured in volts or amps.

7. If the wheel speed increases, what happens to the Amplitude and Frequency
The Amplitude and frequency will both increase and make the waves seem closer together

8.What happens to the Analogue sine wave once created so the ECU can convert it into a reading of
speed
The analogue sine wave is converted toa digital signal so that it can be read by the ECU Once complete, the
ECU will detect the frequency and convert this into a reading of speed.

9.Give 4 advantages of a Hall effect sensor over an Inductive sensor

The signal does not have to be converted before it can be processed by the ECU

As the signal is digital, the information produced can be easily shared with other vehicle systems

Speed of rotation does not affect signal strength, meaning it can operate at very slow speeds.

10.How many wires does a Hall effect sensor have compared to an Inductive sensor
A hall effect sensor has 3 wires whilst an inductive has a coil of wire.

11.Explain what a solenoid does and how it works, which component does it move
A solenoid is a linear motor (one that moves in a line rather than rotating)

12.Which component are the solenoids housed in

Solenoids are housed in the ABS Modulator unit; this regulates the hydraulic pressure in each part of the cars
braking system

13.There are three phases to ABS operation. Write a paragraph on each of the phases. Use diagrams
if it helps to explain your answers.
ABS pressure holding phase – If rapid deceleration in an individual wheel, the ABS ECU will operate the
solenoid valve that relates directly to the wheel that is rapidly decelerating. Using pulse width modulation
(PWM), the ECU regulates the current partially operates the valve into a position where it blocks the input
from the master cylinder. Pressure after the valve now remains constant, still allowing the wheel to slow
Jamie Burns
Student Ref: 552321

down. No matter how hard the driver presses the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure in the calliper part off the
system will not increase.

ABS pressure reduction phase – if the signals from the wheel speed sensor continues to indicate that the wheel
is still decelerating too rapidly, the ECU will fully energise the solenoid valve. This will still block any extra
pressure from the brake master cylinder, but will now open a passageway, allowing the fluid in the brake
calliper circuit to release and flow into an accumulator. As the accumulator fills up, a pump attached to the
modulator unit returns the excess fluid to the master cylinder circuit. This will reduce pressure in the calliper
circuit and allow the wheel to speed up again.

ABS Pressure increase phase – ECU receives signals, indicating that the wheel is once again speeding up, it
switches the current off to the modulator valve then a return spring resets the valve to the open position.
Pressure from the master cylinder circuit can now increase and normal braking can resume. When the wheel
begins to slow rapidly again, the process is repeated; this will happen over and over many times a second for
any individual brake that gives indication that it is about to lock up.